The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,296 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 Golf SE TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

£7,600

Finance available £147 pm

1.6L
119.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£36,490

Finance available £729 pm

2L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greg Mitchell Motors

02881440365 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,990

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Nissan Widnes

01515417897 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
31.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NATIONAL CAR HUB

01922665543 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,595

Finance available £103 pm

1.4L
111.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

EMPEROR MOTORS LTD

01992367158 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Reduced

£12,850

Finance available £265 pm

1.6L
50.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Armstrong Massey Driffield

01377310214 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£12,985

Finance available £268 pm

1L
64.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TIME MOTORS LIMITED

01156849371 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£17,698

1.5L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
34.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

2L
134.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

R And R Trade Cars Ltd

01494311448 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Auto

£23,499

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Riverside BYD

01924927456 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 2.0TDI (150ps) R-Line DSG + 18' LEEDS ALLOYS + EXT STYLE PACK 5-Door

Reduced

£28,950

2L
6.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

£20,691

1.5L
21.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,450

Finance available £233 pm

1.5L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sarah Cox Cars Ltd

01623706190 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£29,993

2L
24.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WHEELS 4 LESS NORFOLK LTD

01603937331 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GT TSI EVO DSG 1.5 Petrol Automatic 5 Door Hatchback 2019 [147 BHP]

Low Mileage

£15,795

Finance available £331 pm

1.5L
42.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M J Wearing

01993463430 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,745

Finance available £61 pm

2L
107.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
91.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Orchard Car Sales Ltd

01256633756 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/lHUz0lVPyUY/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to Present)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2013 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Full Electric / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 34 - 166
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 12.9 seconds
Boot space:: 272 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto
Cheapest
1.2 TSI S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Sixth Generation (2016 to 2020)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.